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Wisconsin Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Wisconsin, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and hunt zones. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

Wisconsin is known for quality whitetail deer hunting and now newly managed elk hunts. Wisconsin has long been a premier destination for deer, turkey, and upland bird hunters.

Terrain

Wisconsin’s terrain has vast and diverse geography known for its landforms created by glaciers during the Wisconsin glaciation 17,000 years ago. The state includes everything from forests and farmlands to vast sandy plains. The state can be divided into five geographic regions—Lake Superior Lowland, Northern Highland, Central Plain, Eastern Ridges and Lowlands, and Western Upland. Wisconsin is 65,496 square miles, making it the 23rd-largest state in the country.

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Wisconsin Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Bear
Sep 6, 2023 – Oct 10, 2023
Bear – Zone C, E, F
Dogs not permitted. Bait and other legal methods are permitted.
Sep 6, 2023
Oct 10, 2023
Bear
Sep 6, 2023 – Sep 12, 2023
Bear – Zone A, B, D
With aid of dogs only
Sep 6, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
Bear
Sep 13, 2023 – Oct 3, 2023
Bear – Zone A, B, D
With aid of dogs, bait, and all other legal methods
Sep 13, 2023
Oct 3, 2023
Bear
Oct 4, 2023 – Oct 10, 2023
Bear – Zone A, B, D
With aid of bait and all other legal methods not including dogs
Oct 4, 2023
Oct 10, 2023
Deer
Oct 7, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Deer – Youth Hunt
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Deer
Oct 7, 2023 – Oct 15, 2023
Deer – Disabled Hunters
Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities. Not a statewide season.
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 15, 2023
Duck
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 9, 2023
Duck – Early Teal Season
Statewide
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 9, 2023
Duck
Sep 16, 2023 – Sep 17, 2023
Duck – Youth Waterfowl Hunt
Statewide
Sep 16, 2023
Sep 17, 2023
Duck
Sep 23, 2023 – Nov 21, 2023
Duck – Northern Zone
Sep 23, 2023
Nov 21, 2023
Duck
Sep 30, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Duck – Early South Zone
Sep 30, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Duck
Oct 14, 2023 – Dec 3, 2024
Duck – Late South Zone
Oct 14, 2023
Dec 3, 2024
Elk
Oct 14, 2023 – Nov 12, 2023
Elk – Early Season
Clam Lake Elk Management Zone
Oct 14, 2023
Nov 12, 2023
Goose
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Goose – Early
Canada geese, Snow/blue geese, and Ross’ geese.
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Goose
Sep 16, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Goose – Southern Zone 1
South exterior zone. Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Blue Goose, Ross Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant Goose.
Sep 16, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Goose
Sep 16, 2023 – Oct 8, 2023
Goose – Early MS River
Mississippi River subzone. Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Blue Goose, Ross Goose, White-fronted Goose, Brant Goose
Sep 16, 2023
Oct 8, 2023
Grouse
Oct 15, 2022 – Nov 6, 2022
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Oct 15, 2022
Nov 6, 2022
Rabbit
Sep 16, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Rabbit – Cottontail Northern Zone
Sep 16, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Rabbit
Oct 14, 2023 – Feb 29, 2024
Rabbit – Cottontail Southern Zone
Opens 9 a.m.
Oct 14, 2023
Feb 29, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Apr 16, 2022 – Apr 17, 2022
Turkey – Youth
Youth only
Apr 16, 2022
Apr 17, 2022
Turkey Game Type
Apr 20, 2022 – Apr 26, 2022
Turkey – Spring Period A
Apr 20, 2022
Apr 26, 2022
Turkey Game Type
Apr 27, 2022 – May 3, 2022
Turkey – Spring Period B
Apr 27, 2022
May 3, 2022
Turkey Game Type
May 11, 2022 – May 17, 2022
Turkey – Spring Period D
May 11, 2022
May 17, 2022
Turkey Game Type
May 18, 2022 – May 24, 2022
Turkey – Spring Period E
May 18, 2022
May 24, 2022
Turkey Game Type
May 25, 2022 – May 30, 2022
Turkey – Spring Period F
May 25, 2022
May 30, 2022
Turkey Game Type
Apr 15, 2023 – Apr 16, 2023
Turkey – Youth
Youth only
Apr 15, 2023
Apr 16, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 19, 2023 – Apr 25, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period A
Apr 19, 2023
Apr 25, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Apr 26, 2023 – May 2, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period B
Apr 26, 2023
May 2, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 3, 2023 – May 9, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period C
May 3, 2023
May 9, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 10, 2023 – May 16, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period D
May 10, 2023
May 16, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 17, 2023 – May 23, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period E
May 17, 2023
May 23, 2023
Turkey Game Type
May 24, 2023 – May 30, 2023
Turkey – Spring Period F
May 24, 2023
May 30, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Sep 16, 2023 – Nov 17, 2023
Turkey – Fall Statewide

Statewide

Sep 16, 2023
Nov 17, 2023
Upland Bird
Sep 23, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023
Woodcock
Sep 23, 2023
Nov 6, 2023

Wisconsin Licenses, Permits, and Regulations

Wisconsin hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the official website of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every Wisconsin hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Wisconsin hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunt zones, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Wisconsin.

Hunting Zones

Wisconsin has four Hunt Zones, also known as Deer Management Zones (DMZ) or Turkey Zones, based on different habitat types: Northern Forest, Central Forest, Central Farmland and Southern Farmland. Click below to view Wisconsin’s hunt zones in more detail through an interactive map.

Hunting Layers

WI Private Lands Preview

WI Private Lands

Over 2,500,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Wisconsin. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

WI Gov Lands Preview

WI Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 7,200,000 acres in Wisconsin. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (5) Expand Sublayers
WI Hunt Zones Preview

WI Hunt Zones

Wisconsin Deer Management Units, Deer Management Zones, Bear and Turkey Hunt Zones. Please hunt responsibly, obey all signage and have a safe legal hunt.

Includes 5 Sublayers

  • Bear
  • Deer Mgmt Units
  • Deer Mgmt Zones
  • Turkey
  • Clam Lake Elk Range
WI Possible Access Preview

WI Possible Access

onX has mapped 660,000 acres of possible access lands in Wisconsin including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

WI Forest Tax Law Preview

WI Forest Tax Law

Wisconsin Forest Tax Law is comprised of both forest tax and forest managed law lands. This layer only shows land that is open to access to hunters in both programs.

WI Forest Legacy Lands Preview

WI Forest Legacy Lands

Wisconsin Forest Legacy Lands enrolled in the Forest Legacy Program. Check local Fish and Game for hunting access in these areas.

WI Voluntary Public Access Preview

WI Voluntary Public Access

Wisconsin DNR Voluntary Public Access Program. On-the-ground boundary signs override boundaries shown in DNR and third-party web mapping applications and should be respected.

WI Turkey Hunting Access Program Preview

WI Turkey Hunting Access Program

Wisconsin DNR Turkey Hunting Access Program. On-the-ground boundary signs override boundaries shown in DNR and third-party web mapping applications and should be respected.

WI Game Bird Thumbnail

WI Game Bird

WI Game Bird Layer. Shows Areas suitable for Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Pheasant Stocking areas, and Dove fields. View local regulations before hunting.

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